Waterfront Projects
Partridge Island
Partridge Island is both a national and provincial historic site that sits in the blowing winds of Saint John's Inner Harbour. For many years it was a quarantine station for hopeful immigrants coming to Eastern Canada. At the peak of Irish Immigration, between 1845 and 1847, up to 2,500 people were quarantined with typhus fever and smallpox. Thousands were buried on the island. In memory of the Irish immigrants who died and were buried on the island, a huge Celtic Cross was built in 1927 by George McArthur who was later buried at the base of the cross in 1932.
Partridge Island has a long and fascinating past. It was North America's first quarantine station; site of military posts from the late 1700's until after World War II, including documented sightings of German U-boats in World War II; the world's first steam operated fog alarm was invented, built and used on the island in 1852 and lighthouses on the island were manned for 198 years from 1791 to 1989.
The Partridge Island Working Group is dedicated to developing an action plan to permit controlled public access to the island, making this unique and historic island a fundamental location for learning, heritage, culture and enjoyment.
Concept designs for the Partridge Island Project
- Overall Concept (over 500K .jpg)
- Orientation Plaza
- Viewport Panels
To offer your comments or to request more information about this working group and project, please contact us at info@sjwaterfront.com.